Brainrush Paperback – April 30, 2013

For a free book I think this was quite good. Plenty of colorful visuals and decadent locations and the gondoliers and Carnevale! Wow! It made me want to see it in person if it was really that beautiful. I enjoyed the authentic details about armed forces--I knew I was reading from someone who definitely did his research. Then I found out it was someone who actually lived it. I also loved the idea of someone who suddenly develops savant abilities after an MRI gone wrong. The cancer and subsequent treatment was also written about from experience, as I learned afterwards. God bless you for surviving. I don't think I could have done it.A couple of things bothered me about the book though: I thought it was too much of a coincidence that Jake's brother dies, then his dad, then Jake’s wife and kid. Why even give him family if they’re not going to ever be mentioned again? I also thought it was too much of a stretch that Francesca could essentially read minds, but conveniently, for the sake of plot, couldn't read Battista's. And the barmaid, though she was entertaining, it was downright silly for her to be a skilled fighter. Chances were, in reality, she’d be living paycheck to paycheck, would have a crap boyfriend who kept borrowing money he never paid back or slept around, or both, and she’d only keep him around because he was SOOO good in bed and she gets really horny sometimes, and she’d be hoping to find a dreamy, rich guy who’ll fall for her feminine wiles just long enough to be snared by it. That’s reality for a lot of people. And there’s no reason why a character like that can’t be in a thriller like this.I'm sorry I couldn't finish the book. I got about 60% through, and had to stop because I grew bored. The description and litany of military accomplishments of these new characters was tiring to read. These guys are bada$$. I get it. This sort of intro works in movies, but not books. Remember when they introduced the crew on the ship in Aliens? They were tough, wanted to shoot sh*t, then go the hell home. It was procedure, nothing special, and they’d done it a million times before. There. I just summed up that entire crew in a couple of sentences. They’re not very deep, are they? That sort of stuff works wonderfully in a movie. I know you felt that sort of intro didn't translate into your book, and couldn't understand why, and just left it as best as you could. I've been there and done it. And even though it seems obvious, it took me time to figure out that what works in a movie doesn't work in a book. I find the best way to introduce a new character is through some sort of interaction OTHER THAN, “Hi, my name is so and so, it's nice to meet you.” I understand that in some scenes, that might be necessary, like maybe a perp meeting an interrogator, but because of context, they're actually not total strangers to each other. They each know where the other stands, which contributes to tension. If the perp and interrogator met in the street, there's no context. So, instantly, that's boring.I tried to figure out why an obviously well-written, well-researched book couldn't keep my attention. I decided early on that it was because every single character in this book was safe. Even the sadistic guy who loved torturing people with knives, which is unusual, to put it lightly, was safe. Even someone like Battista was boring, though I sensed that he was supposed to be some sort of cultured, suave, handsome villain. Again, interesting on-screen, but not on the page. This book indicated it was supposed to be something like James Bond meets Jason Bourne. James Bond, I never cared for. Jason Bourne, the character and his movies, were shocking and breathtaking. Especially that first one. Remember when he stabs the ballpoint pen into the guy's hand? And then the guy pulls it out with an F-you smile on his face? Remember when that guy flings himself off the balcony a few moments later? That sort of stuff works in a movie, even if the action is nonstop. But you wrote a book. In books, the characters really matter. Otherwise it's not compelling. You've got no special effects, no sound effects, not even any illustrations! I'm a writer too, and I understand that all I've got are WORDS. Sometimes I feel like I've set myself up for failure. But damn it, I love to write. I love telling stories. You'd have to kill me to make me stop.Now, these characters are way too normal. Or flat. Or predictable. I use this word all the time in describing characters such as this: SAFE. Safe characterizations are okay and maybe even essential in action-packed movies like James Bond or The Bourne Identity (because with the heavy plot, there’s not much time for character development, but there should be some, mind you), but not in books. In books, there needs to be constant tension between characters to foster their development, where each one, hopefully, is trying to exploit and manipulate the other, or searching for information another doesn't want to give, or advancing romantic interests when another is totally turned off. People need to do contradictory things, and BE contradictory. I think you were on the cusp of that with your main character, Jake. He knows he's got just months to live, so how's he going to spend it? You've been there, and you've flourished. But what if Jake's not like you? What if he's the sort of person who becomes bitter? What if he's the sort of person who just doesn't give a sh*t about anything anymore? Not even his mother, who lost a son already? Not his friends who genuinely care about him? What if he just started drinking like crazy, screwing girls left and right? What if he screwed the barmaid even though Marshall was totally into her? (In the book he wasn’t, not at first, but let's say he was head over heels?) What if Jake is on a suicide mission to destroy his life on his own before God decides it's time to take it? That's the contradiction I'm talking about: He doesn't want to die, but he assumes he's going to anyway, so why not just hurry it along? What difference does it make? I understand Jake's not a coward, and I'm sure you despise any act of cowardice, given your history. But imagine what a different book it would have been. I think I could have gotten through that book.Here's a little anecdote to further explain what I mean, then I’ll leave you alone. I remember one of my friends telling me about this old woman she sometimes looked in on. The old woman was quite ill, couldn't clean her house, couldn't get around and needed help buying groceries and things like that. You'd think that someone like that, who relies completely on others, would be nice to the person who was taking time out of her busy schedule to help her. Yeah, you'd think that. But that's not what happened. When my friend told this woman that she couldn't do something, or that she'd have to wait, the woman launched into a bitter, caustic string of insults and threats, and not just light threats either. I mean, like, really violent stuff. I think one of the things she said was that she'd rip her lungs out. Really? Is that what you say to someone who wants to help you? But that's how people are. While that lady desperately needed someone's help, she sabotaged her own self out of bitterness, anger, misery and pain. She lashed out at the people around her, and the only ones around her were the ones that helped her, because she paid them (my friend didn’t even get paid; she’s just way too nice of a human being). How do you think this old woman felt about the fact that no one was around her because they liked her? Don't you think she was furious and hurt? She was in emotional agony, that woman, but the only way she could express it was with so much vitriol. She couldn't help it. It was overflowing, like a septic tank that wasn't emptied out in time. People are sometimes their own worst enemies, even to the point of self-destruction. But by the same token, people have the ability to pull themselves from the brink when no one else will. Now that’s a story I would read.

The mix of ancient & modern, the hint of aliens coming, adventure & intrique, come on. What more can you ask for?I'm looking forward to the next one.

BRAINRUSH (Pub. 2011) by Richard Bard is an intriguing read, with a couple twists that keep it from feeling like the standard formula-driven thriller/AA read. It held my interest all the way through with a unique physical aspect that comes into play for Jake Bronson, following an earthquake striking while he's in an MRI machine. And the author doesn't waste a minute getting us there. Jake's newfound skills lend the story a contemporary SF/paranormal vibe without crossing too far over the line into 'no way' territory. Jake comes out with greatly enhanced mental capabilities that happen to parallel the results a madman is trying to achieve through experimental brain surgeries. The madman has a master plan behind his drive to achieve those results, and real trouble starts when he sees Jake inadvertently show off his newfound skills on national TV. He sends a beautiful woman to lure Jake to Venice but things don't go as planned for either side.The author has every reason and more to be proud of this debut novel. Not only is it a well-written, well-paced, strongly plotted and perfectly edited thriller, BRAINRUSH also brings interesting and lovable characters that we quickly come to care about. Bard pulls off quickly introducing a seriously troubled MC in Jake Bronson, a man with a good heart but bad luck and bad health. Then blesses him with zany skills we'd all love to have, and manages to do it in a way that breaths life into the character in a new and fresh way, both for the story and the thriller genre.I also like the way Bard brings a strong whiff of romance-to-come in the beautiful assistant that's unknowingly sent to lure him into the doctor's clutches. It adds to the story and the character, without distracting from the main story event in play. Bard doesn't waste a lot of time on heavy description, but manages to make us first question then like Jake's new heartthrob, while bringing a special link between them related to Jake's new skills. You just can't help rooting for him when Jake puts his life on the line to rescue a small captive girl and his newfound love.The story rips along at a relentless pace, with not a hint of a sagging middle in sight. It has everything thriller readers love: action, high stakes, big guns, big plans, and a brave MC with friends and a well-skilled team behind him. It also has an unexpected scoop of sci-fi in a second and surprising way in the climatic scene, when Jake comes across an ancient artifact that plays a big role in the bang-up finale.In spite of being the first book in a trilogy, the story ends on a well-rounded note, without feeling like a cliffhanger. All the important questions and issues are answered, resolute comeuppance served, along with a peek at Jake's future.BRAINRUSH easily gets 4.5 stars from me, and the only thing that keeps it from a full five stars is a wish the author had placed a bit more focus and detail on the science behind Jake's new skills. It would serve to make that aspect of the story feel more grounded in reality. There are a couple spots which feel a bit rushed (no pun intended) and would benefit from some embellishment, but those small things by no means put a dent in my pleasure from reading the story. I look forward to getting my hands and eyes on the next two stories in the trilogy.

Two budding romances, more than a dollop of sci-fi, a traditional helping of "over the top" ex GI mercenaries , a hero with a suddenly acquired super brain and faster than lightning reflexes and tele-kinetic abilities, a sprinkling of great buddies, exotic locations (Venice and Monaco), a dastardly "Muslim extremist" terrorist plot, a few kidnapped children and a rip snorting fight at the end to save the children/ thwart the plot together with just more than a hint of extra-terrestrials joining in. Should be good for at least 6 categories.Unfortunately not so good for the story as each category is introduced, it does not necessarily blend in with what has gone before and the whole lot turns into a confused mish-mash.

I read this book amazingly quickly which speaks volumes about the content. It wasn't the book I expected when I was lucky enough to get it FREE for Kindle, but I wasn't disappointed. In many ways I felt the book was one of two halves and if I'm honest I enjoyed the first half more, which is why I only gave it four stars. I presume the storyline was borrowed in part from the author's own life, in that both the author and the protagonist Jake had a brain tumour diagnosed, but survived it.The book opens with Jake's diagnosis and him undergoing an MRI scan. During the scan an earthquake occurs and a power surge leaves his brain with amazing abilities ~ and since he is terminally ill he is willing to take the sort of risks that people with a long life ahead of them might not take. It's a powerful combination. Jake is sympathetically drawn so from the start you find yourself caring about what happens to him. His antagonist, Luciano Battista is equally well drawn and you find yourself hating him with a heated passion.Jake quickly finds himself in the middle of a terrorist plot when he is kidnapped after refusing to accompany a psychologist (who works with autistic children) to help with research, by allowing his brain to be examined. Jake soon becomes romantically attached to the psychologist and is drawn to help the autistic children in her care, and the plot thickens.The main characters are very believable and the descriptions as you travel with Jack from California to Italy all add to the novel. However the second half of the book takes a different turn when one of the characters has to prepare a team with a military background to fight against one of the world's largest and strongest terrorist organizations based in Afghanistan. The novel is fast and pacey in this section and it is obvious that the author has major knowledge about weaponry, but for me this second half was not as enjoyable as the first. Towards the end of the novel another genre is introduced ~ a sort of science fiction element. This part is well written but I almost felt the plot didn't need it.I also felt the book left some questions unanswered (which I won't list or they might spoil your enjoyment) but since there is a follow up book, I assume they will be covered in that. I did enjoy this book enough to want to buy the second book in the series so I do recommend it; an interesting and enjoyable read.

BRAINRUSH is a captivating, fast paced, action packed thrilling adventure, full of mystery, suspense romance and fantasy. An edge of your seat ride from start to finish. In this thriller we have everything: good guys and bad guys, friends, comrades, family, terrorists, a tough guy hero, Jake Bronson, a beautiful psychologist and an evil villain, Luciano Battista. We travel the world, California to Venice, on to Monaco and then Kuwait and eventually arrive in the mountains of Afghanistan. We are treated to stunning descriptions of places, events, military operations and weaponry and when we finally arrive exhausted at the end, it is intriguing ,surprising and completely unexpected. This has to be by far one of the most exciting thrillers I've read in a long time and it kept me totally engrossed until the early hours of the morning- just couldn't put it down.BRAINRUSH is an outstanding achievement by author Richard Bard. A Tour de Force. I can't wait to get the Brainrush II.

OK, so it's a little far fetched and stretches the realms of possibility. There are a few bits that just mesh together a little too conveniently... But so what!For a book to escape in and enjoy, it's does exactly what it's supposed to.The lead character is terminally ill, but during a routine scan something happens and everything becomes far from routine. His "brain power" is increased 100 fold and he can absorb tons of information. However, that brings him to the attention of a research group who are investigating people with similar "skills". However, all is not as it seems.Not wanting to get into the story too much, once the initial set up has been made as to what's going on, then it becomes a fast ride of action and adventure.Certainly worth reading and well put together.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would not have believed it was Richard Brad's first as it is so well written. The descriptions and all very 'real' - all right being a women the details of all the armaments' were a bit mind numbing but I'm sure the 'guys' appreciated them. The different places in the world the action took us to were painted in words which made you feel right there. The fate of the different characters had you sitting on the edge of your seat wondering how they would manage. The twist at the end made you want to continue the ride to find out where things would go next. All things which make you reach for the next book in the series.